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RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. – The No. 2 Stanford lightweight rowing team advanced each of its two boats to Sunday’s Grand finals at the WIRA Championships in Rancho Cordova, Calif. on Saturday.

The varsity eight and the second varsity eight each finished strong enough to advance to the top final on Sunday with the varsity eight winning its race on Saturday and the 2V8 placing third.

Stanford’s top boat went up against three schools in the WV8+ D1/Open event. The Cardinal group notched its fifth first place finish of the spring as it crossed the finish line in 6:51.50. The time was five seconds faster than Portland State’s openweights. Stanford’s time was also the fastest of the eight teams combined in the two heats in the event.

The second varsity eight was also going up against three openweight boats as they were entered in to the W2V8+ D1/Open event. The Cardinal posted a time of 7:17.57, which was third best in the heat. Stanford was 10 seconds off Portland State and six seconds back from San Diego State.

Those two boats plus a lightweight four will be in action on Sunday. The varsity four race takes place at 9:30 a.m. The second varsity eight will compete at 10:50 a.m. and the varsity eight will look for another victory at 12 noon.